Animal CPR Tips and Techniques

How to Save Your Dying Pet

Pet lovers go to great lengths to make their pet comfy, cozy and feeling loved. Why not take one more step to insure that, should an emergency occur, you could save his or her life. Animal CPR has saved thousands of animals over the years. Before animal CPR many pets died because no one thought to try the rescue techniques on pet. Now, EMT's sometimes practice animal CPR and you can too.

If a pet is not breathing make sure the airway is free of any blockage. Pull the tongue out of the animal's mouth but be careful. Some animals will bite even if they are unresponsive in other ways. Make sure the neck and head are straight. Breathe twice into the pet's nose by first holding the mouth closed. If the air seems to be going into the dog with no problem, there is probably no further blockage. You should continue the mouth-to-nose ventilation, at 20 breaths per minute.

If, when giving mouth-to-nose ventilation, it seems that the airway is blocked try the Heimlich Maneuver. Turn the animal upside down and position his back against your chest. Wrap your arms around the animal's belly and use sharp thrusts to the abdomen. After five thrusts stop and check to see if you can spot the foreign object in the mouth or throat. If it's visible attempt to remove it. If not, repeat the Heimlich Maneuver.

If nothing has worked so far lay the animal on his right side. Position your hands in the middle side of the rib cage. Perform chest compressions 15 times in about 10 seconds, then do two mouth-to-nose breaths. Repeat if necessary.